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Updated 2025 Tax Year

Muscatine County
Property Tax Guide

Everything you need to know about property taxes in Muscatine County, IA. Rates, due dates, exemptions, and how it affects your monthly payment.

10 Official Sources
8 min read
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Quick Facts
Tax Rate
Approximately $15.67 per $1,000 of assessed value (varies by taxing district)
1st Due
Sep 30
2nd Due
Mar 31
Exemptions
5+ Available
Section 1

How Property Tax Works

Muscatine County, Iowa operates under a property tax system that funds essential local services including schools, county government operations, emergency services, and infrastructure maintenance. Property taxes in Muscatine County are calculated based on assessed values determined by the County Assessor and applied tax rates that vary by location within the county due to different combinations of taxing districts.

The effective tax rate in Muscatine County is approximately $15.67 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for the 2024-2025 tax year, though actual rates vary depending on your specific location within special taxing districts such as school districts, cities, and other municipal service areas. Property owners should note that Iowa assesses property at its full market value, and various tax credits may be available to qualifying residents, though these require separate applications and are not automatically applied.

Section 2

What Makes Up Your Tax Bill

ComponentRate per $1,000Description
County GeneralVariesBasic county services and operations
School DistrictVariesLocal school district funding
City/MunicipalVariesCity services (where applicable)
Special DistrictsVariesFire districts, library districts, etc.
Total Combined Rate$15.672192024-2025 levy year rate

Note: The total rate of $15.67219 per $1,000 of valuation applies to properties within Muscatine city limits for the 2024-2025 tax year. Rates vary throughout the county based on which combination of taxing districts serve your specific property location. Rural properties and those in other municipalities will have different total rates based on their applicable special taxing districts.

Section 3

When Are Property Taxes Due?

For the 2025/2026 tax year in Muscatine County, property taxes are due in two installments:

First Installment
Sep 30
Delinquent after Dec 10
Second Installment
Mar 31
Delinquent after Apr 10
Pro tip: If you pay through mortgage escrow, your lender splits these payments across your monthly mortgage. If you pay directly, set calendar reminders to avoid late penalties.
Section 4

Supplemental Tax Bills

Supplemental property taxes in Muscatine County are additional tax bills issued when there are changes to property ownership, new construction, or improvements that increase the assessed value after the regular assessment date. These taxes cover the difference between what was originally billed and what should have been billed based on the current assessment.

Supplemental taxes are calculated by applying the current tax rate to the difference in assessed value, prorated for the portion of the tax year affected. For example, if new construction adds $50,000 to your assessed value halfway through the tax year, you would owe approximately $391 in supplemental taxes ($50,000 × $15.67219 ÷ $1,000 ÷ 2 = $391.61). Supplemental tax bills are issued separately from regular property tax bills and have their own due dates.

Example Calculation

Example 1: $300,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $300,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Varies (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $300,000 (assuming no credits)
  • Annual Tax: $300,000 × $15.67219 ÷ $1,000 = $4,702
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$392

Example 2: $600,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $600,000
  • Homestead Credit Applied: Varies (requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $600,000 (assuming no credits)
  • Annual Tax: $600,000 × $15.67219 ÷ $1,000 = $9,403
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$784

Example 3: $1,000,000 Home

  • Assessed Value: $1,000,000
  • Military Service Credit: Up to $1,852 (if applicable, requires application)
  • Net Taxable Value: $1,000,000 (before any applicable credits)
  • Annual Tax: $1,000,000 × $15.67219 ÷ $1,000 = $15,672
  • Monthly Escrow: ~$1,306

Note: All tax credits require separate applications and are not automatically applied. Actual rates may vary based on specific taxing district combinations.

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Section 5

Escrow & Property Taxes

Most mortgage lenders require property tax payments to be included in monthly mortgage payments through an escrow account. Lenders typically collect 1/12th of the annual property tax bill each month, plus an additional cushion amount as required by federal regulations. The lender pays your property taxes directly to Muscatine County when they become due.

Property taxes in Muscatine County are billed in two installments: the first half is due by September 30th, and the second half is due by March 31st of the following year. Lenders usually pay each installment before the due date to avoid penalties. Property owners should verify that their lender has made timely payments and review their annual escrow analysis to ensure adequate funds are being collected. If you pay your own taxes outside of escrow, you can pay the full annual amount by September 30th without interest, or split the payments between the two due dates.

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Section 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are property taxes due in Muscatine County for the current tax year? A: For the 2024 tax year, the first installment is due by September 30, 2025, and the second installment is due by March 31, 2026. You can pay the full amount by September 30, 2025, without interest charges.

Q: What tax credits are available and do they require applications? A: Homestead Tax Credit and Military Service Tax Exemption are available, but both require separate applications. Beginning with the 2023 assessment year, residents aged 65 or older may claim a Homestead Exemption in addition to the Homestead Credit. None of these are automatically applied.

Q: How does the Homestead Credit work? A: The Homestead Credit limits annual assessment increases rather than reducing market value directly. It requires annual application and is designed to provide tax relief to qualifying homeowners by capping how much assessed values can increase year-over-year.

Q: How often are properties assessed in Muscatine County? A: Properties are assessed annually by the Muscatine County Assessor's Office. Assessment notices are typically mailed in the spring, and property owners have the right to appeal assessments through a formal process.

Q: What are the penalties for late property tax payments? A: Interest and penalties accrue on unpaid taxes after the due dates. Contact the Muscatine County Treasurer's office for specific penalty rates and calculations.

Q: Can I pay my property taxes online? A: Yes, Muscatine County offers online payment scheduling. You can schedule payments online for both installments to ensure timely payment and avoid penalties.

Q: Why might my tax rate differ from the $15.67 rate mentioned? A: The $15.67219 rate applies specifically to properties within Muscatine city limits. Your actual rate depends on which special taxing districts serve your property, including school district, fire district, library district, and other municipal services.

Q: Where can I get applications for tax credits? A: Applications for Homestead Tax Credit and Military Service Tax Exemption are available through the Muscatine County Assessor's office. Contact them directly for current applications and deadline information.

Verified Sources

Backed by 10 Official Government Sources

Every fact in this guide is sourced from official county, state, and federal documents.

01
Tax Doc
Property Tax Rates | Muscatine, IA - Official Websitemuscatineiowa.gov
02
Public Hearing on FY24-25 budget set for April 18muscatineiowa.gov
03
County
MUSCATINE COUNTY, IOWA TAX RATES FOR ...muscatinecountyiowa.gov
04
County
Treasurer's Office | Muscatine County, IA - Official Websitemuscatinecountyiowa.gov
05
County
Property Taxation | Muscatine County, IA - Official Websitemuscatinecountyiowa.gov
06
Assessment Dates to Remembermuscatinecountyiowa.gov
07
County
Exemption & Credits | Muscatine County, IA - Official Websitemuscatinecountyiowa.gov
08
County
Assessor Forms | Muscatine County, IA - Official Websitemuscatinecountyiowa.gov
09
County
a guide to country living in muscatine county - Sheriff's Officeco.muscatine.ia.us
10
Tax Doc
resolution #01-20-25-01 - suspending the collection of taxesmuscatinecountyiowa.gov
All sources verified as of 2025 Tax Year

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